Rose 'Senateur Lafollette'

Rosa gigantea 'La Follette'

Follette, La Follette, Senateur Follette

Senateur Lafollette is a modern climbing rose. Best suited to larger gardens where it can grow at the back of a large border or ramble over fences, arches and hedges or into trees. It will only bloom once per season and is one of the earliest bloomers.

Planning

Difficulty

Moderate

Flowering time

Summer, Spring

Harvesting

Roses can be harvested throughout the growing season. It is best to harvest in the early mornings before the heat of the day. Use sharp, clean secateurs and cut the stems at an angle just above an active bud.

Propagation

Cuttings

Take hardwood cuttings from firm young stems with some leaves in Autumn. Make 1-2.5 cm vertical slits through the bark near the base. Place in pots of moist sand or potting soil to root.

Special features

Attracts useful insects

The flowers attract bees.

Hedge plant

Provide an arch, fence or hedge structure for the plant to ramble over.

Geography

Origin

Hybrid of Rosa gigantea Collett ex Crépin × Seedling

Natural climate

Temperate

Environment

Light

Full Sun

Soil moisture

Moist

Soil type

Clay, Loam

Soil PH preference

Neutral

Frost hardiness

Half-Hardy

Uses

Medicinal

The rose hip, usually from R. canina, is used as a minor source of vitamin C. The fruits of many species have significant levels of vitamins and have been used as a food supplement. Many roses have been used in herbal and folk medicines. Rosa chinensis has long been used in Chinese traditional medicine.

Personality

Family

Roasceae

Flower colour

, Pink

Scent

Strong

Problems

Prone to black spot, rust, powdery mildew, die back, cancer, crown gall, honey fungus, viruses and downy mildew. Water in the early mornings to allow plants to dry before night time, trying to have good air flow through plants will help. Susceptible to aphids, leaf hoppers, red spider mites, scale insects and caterpillars. Promote beneficial insects and birds to help control.

Companion plants

Members of the onion family such as chives, ornamental alliums, and edible onions, are rumored to increase the perfume of roses, ward off aphids, and prevent black spot. Scented geraniums (Pelargonium), rue (Ruta), feverfew (T anacetum), parsley (Petroselinum), and thyme (Thymus) all may help ward off Japanese beetles and aphids. Marigolds (Tagetes) may also repel pests and encourage growth. Try ornamental and culinary sage (Salvia), anise-hyssop (Agastache), Russian-sage (Perovskia), lavender (Lavandula), yarrow (Achillea), oregano (Origanum), catmint (Nepeta) and calamint (Calamintha). Oddly enough, tomatoes allegedly prevent black spot, but not many people will be inclined to combine roses and tomatoes. Lavender (Lavandula) and catmint (Nepeta) are good at keeping rabbits away. Yarrow (Achillea) may attract ladybugs who in turn feed on aphids.
Remember to plant rose companions at least 30 cm away from your roses so that you do not disturb their roots.